African violet plant named Martinique

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Martinique characterized by its single, blue flowers with slightly frilled white edges; strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; bright green, oval to heart-shaped, serrated leaves with a bright center; profuse flowering, vigorous and compact growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Martinique.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation I 6X96/105 and is a product of a plannedbreeding program. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made byme in the controlled breeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic ofGermany. The female, or seed parent was a cultivar designated XVX249.The male, or pollen parent was a cultivar designated E 40/2.

Martinique was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant withinthe progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen,West Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings,as performed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

Martinique has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in a 10 cm pot in Haffen, West Germany and Nashville,Tenn. under greenhouse conditions which closely approximate thosegenerally used in commercial practice. The following traits have beenrepeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics ofMartinique, which in combination distinguish this African violet as anew and distinct cultivar:

(1) Strong, upright flower stems curving slightly toward the center.

(2) Single, violet-shaped blue flowers with slightly frilled whiteedges.

(3) Profuse flowering.

(4) Each plant carries 7 and more upright flower stems each of whichcarries 7-10 and more flowers.

(5) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

(6) Vigorous grower.

(7) Plant saleable 10 to 11 weeks after potting.

(8) Seed capsules push slightly through.

(9) Oval to heart-shaped medium green, serrated leaves.

(10) After maturity the flowers dry off, and remain on the pedunclewithout becoming infected by botrytis.

The blue flowers with white edges of Martinique ressemble somewhat thoseof the variety Barbados. However, Martinique and Barbados are differentin all other respects.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimenplant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are astrue as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken undernatural sunlight conditions at approximately 2 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat., c.v. Martinique.

Parentage:

Male parent.--E 40/2.

Female parent.--XVX249

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings.

Plant: From 9 cm to 11 cm tall when grown in pots, and approximately21-23 cm in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General form: Oval to heart-shaped. Diameter: 55-65 mm.Texture: Velvety. Aspect: Serrated, hairy, slightly shiny. Veins:Upperside: well visible, brighter green than the leaf at the center,underside: very well pronounced, light green, shiny. Color (upperside):Yellow-Green Group 147 between A and B. Color (underside): Greyed GreenGroup 194 D. Petiole: Strong upright, light green, occasionally purplishtouch on the side towards the flowers, hairy.

Flowers.--Buds: Ball-shaped, 8-9 mm just before opening, purple withfrilled white edge, hairy. Sepals: five (5). Color: Purplish green.Calyx: Shape: Funnel-shaped. Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy. Peduncle:Character: Strong upright, hairy. Color: Purplish green. Individualflowers: Size: 35-40 mm. Shape: Single violet-shaped with slightlyfrilled edges. Color (upperside): Violet-Blue Group 93 B. Under coolertemperatures and more intensive lighting, the blue tends to intensify.Color (underside): Violet-Blue Group 93 C. Borne: Each flower stemcarries 7-10 and more flowers on strong, upright peduncle that are freestanding above the leaves, thereby forming a compact bouquet. Floweringhabit: Flowers 10-11 weeks after potting.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Two (2). Anthers: 2 composed of 4 anthercells, seed capsule pushes slightly through. Filaments: Yellowish green,4-5 mm long. Pollen Color: Yellow Group 7. Styles: 7-8 mm long, purple,base of ovary light green and hairy.

Roots.--Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownishwhen older.

Disease resistance: Good.

General observations: Martinique is a very attractive, vigorous andcompact grower with bright green, oval to heart-shaped, serrated leaveswith an even brighter green center. A tight bouquet of flowers freestanding above the leaves develops after approximately 10-11 weeks. Eachof the 7 and more strong flower stems carries 7-10 and more single blueflowers with slightly frilled white edges. On older flowers the whiteedge is not very clear-cut. The bright yellow anthers contrast nicelywith the blue color which is darker at the center. Occasionally, 1-2additional small petals may develop. The flowers are long-lasting andnon-dropping and the seed capsules push slightly through.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet namedMartinique, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterizedby its single, blue flowers with slightly frilled white edges; strong,upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form acompact bouquet above the leaves; bright green, oval to heart-shaped,serrated leaves with a bright center; profuse flowering, vigorous andcompact growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its longlasting and non-dropping flowers.